Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

Throughout the novel, Rump bravely struggles against fate and searches for his true name. How does Rump’s evolving understanding of his name contribute to his attitude toward his destiny? Consider the following questions before you respond to the question.

• At the beginning of the story, how does Rump feel about his name and his destiny?
• How does his understanding of his name and his fate change after he meets the Wool Witches?
• By the end of the story, how does Rump demonstrate that knowing his true name allows him to seize control of his destiny and defy others’ attempts to control his fate?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to trace Rump’s character development over the course of the novel. If your students are ready for terms like external conflict and internal conflict, you might introduce these and ask students to use them in their discussion of the protagonist’s growth. Students will likely focus on the external conflicts that Rump faces, particularly his struggles with the miller. You might ask them to consider Rump’s internal conflict and the emotional obstacles he faces as well. More advanced students might also be encouraged to make a connection between Fighting Fate and another of the novel’s main themes, The Importance of Courage or The Value of Friendship.